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The Michigan Dailv A
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(Central Campus)
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An introduction to the Universitv's
ide
alls
>> Some people love living in dorms - others abhor it. Either way, serving your requisite two
semesters in a residence hall is an essential part of the first-year experience. Here's hoping
that you get along with your new roommate.
- Kimberly Chou and
Bridget O'Donnell
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GREEK LIFE
POINT I COUNTERPOINT
While you to brotherhood or sisterhood College life without social are in the council's drinking reg-
can't yet control events, there is rarely a dull activities isn't college life. But ulations and how central drink-
the years after weekend on campus because of there are ways besides the Greek ing is to a frat boy's life.
you graduate Greek Life. And sometimes it's system to save over-caffeinated Have you ever been to a frat
from college and impossible to get into a party students from spending every party where someone draws
start living in the without your Greek ID - only Friday night in the library con- something on your hand, even if
real world, you attainable through being a part stantly checking CTools. you didn't bring your own beer?
can control the of the Greek system. College is the first time we step That's just one example of the
next four years I cannot imagine my life at away from our home - and our partyloopholes incouncil's rules:
with one deci- Michigan without being in a protective moms and dads - to Everyone is supposed to BOYB,
sion - join the fraternity. But at the same time, venture out on our own. It is the but instead the frat provides the
Greek system. I had more than a fair share of time to learn how adults conduct booze and just makes a mark on
Becoming a fears about joining the Greek themselves in the classroom, your hand to correspond to what
member of a fra- system. business and bar settings. you brought - err, didn't bring.
ternity was the I wasn't sure if I wanted to It is at the University that we That's not to say that there
best decision I commit to such a big institu- learn how to manage our time aren't a few good academic fra-
made during my freshman year tion, I was worried about the effectively. We learn to refine the ternities around. This sector
in Ann Arbor. And to be hon- pressure to drink, and I was balance between hours devoted of the Greek system focus's on
est, it's not because of the crazy very confused on how much to studying and hours spent in a the academic aspect of college
parties that fraternities throw time I would have to devote. slightly more inebriated state. life. Often these frats will focus
(but those are sweet, too). But as time went by, I devel- The Greek system hinders our on one specific subject, such as
The best part of Greek Life is oped a deep sense of pride ability to find the right balance math or business. But these fra-
the relationships you develop for my house, I wanted to be during our college years. While ternities also promote an unbal-
with the people in your house. known as a member of my fra- becoming an adult includes anced approach to college life.
It's possible to make friends ternity, and I wanted to spend learning how to have a good All work and no play makes, well,
by going to random parties, by a lot of time at the house. The time - and perhaps occasionally you know.
meeting people in your dorms pressure to drink differs from indulging in excess - it also is The key to a successful and
and classes. But there is no house to house, but if you are the time to step up to the respon- enjoyable college experience is
other organization on campus still worried about the expec- sibilities of life and seriously pre- moderation. Go out and be wild
that offers freshmen as many tations of drinking while in a pare for the future. Friday and Saturday; Maybe
quality opportunities to meet house, I can honestly say that I The state of many fraternity even Thursday night if the first
new people, develop fresh rela- didn't take a sip of alcohol my houses is a prime example of how few days of the week were par-
tionships and become a part of entire freshman year. the Greek system often ignores ticularly stressful; But be ready
something that is bigger than My feelings on Greek Life the simplest of responsibilities: for class on Mon-
the individual like the Greek are not unique. This is the con- cleaning. Greek houses might day, the protest
system. sensus among members of the look beautiful from the outside on Tuesday and
T is an old saying: It's Greek system. in terms of architecture, but on the Model United
not you know,but whoyou If you want to rush a house, the inside, they are complete Nations meeting
kno on meet distinguished do it. shit holes. To be fair, not all frat on Wednesday; be
alumni who are already making If you are hesitant, there's houses are disgusting and most ready to do some-
huge strides outside of college, nothing wrong with checking sorority houses are actually quite thing more than
and who can help you in the out houses during rush in order clean. But the frats most popular indulge yourself
future. And by being a part of to gain a better understanding for parties are some of the most during your col-
a group that ranges from fresh- of how the Greek system works. dank and dirty buildings around. lege experience.
man to seniors to alumni, you We all know Greek Life isn't for The disproportionate empha- If you are look-
havea wide variety of people to everyone, but if you are even sis on drinking in many fra- ing for a lot of _
model yourself after, as well as thinking about joining a house, ternities is also a problem the drinking and noth-
countless connections to work give it some deep thought. Interfraternity Council - the ingelseyoushould
with. Most importantly, partici- umbrella organization that over- head straight to
Moreover, you will become pate in fall rush because if you sees fraternity chapters at the the nearest frat
lifelongfriends withpeoplethat want to make the best of your University - has mishandled. or sorority. If
are knowledgeable and experi- four at Michigan - you've got You just have to have a few not, steer clear of
enced over such helpful things to go Greek. friends involved in Greek life to Greek life.
as campus life. From parties ALEX PROSPERI know the many loopholes there ALEXERIKSON
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